The Commissioners approved a fare increase for ADA fares. The base fare will increase to $3 per ticket on February 2, 2014.

The Commissioners, based on the scoringperformed by TranSystems, and the recommendation of staff, authorized the District to request a best and final offer from Avail Technologies, Inc. for the GPS/AVL system . This will be followed by contract negotiations with Avail.

Mr. Schulman was authorized to offer the position of IT Specialist with a salary not to exceed $70,000. The position will initially be paid out of grant funds.

Mr. Schulman said that six of the ten body on chassis vehicles have been delivered. However, there are design issues that the maintenance staff is correcting. The cost for the changes will be charged to the vendor. The last four vehicles will have the issue addressed before they are delivered.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the two pending law suits.

Mr. Schulman reported that the District is short of both WHEELS and ADA/Shuttle drivers. As a result, a test and training session, for new drivers, will be scheduled as soon as possible.

The Commissioners authorized increasing life insurance coverage to non-unionized employees from $80,000 to $100,000. The estimated cost is $1,100 annually.

Mr. Schulman indicated that a binding arbitration session is scheduled for February 7 at the Transit District to settle the union contract.

Mr. Schulman provided an update of the GPS/AVL procurement. The Commissioners approved the hiring of Avail Technologies pending successful negotiations that bring the contract within the funds available.

Mr. Schulman indicated that the ad for an ITS specialist has been placed. The results to date have not been as promising as hoped.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the outstanding lawsuits.

Mr. Schulman provided an overview of the District’s response to the last two snow storms. The storms did not cause the District any substantial problems.

Mr. Schulman said that arbitration on the labor agreement is scheduled for this Friday.

Mr. Schulman reminded the Commissioners that he will be on vacation next week.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the GPS/AVL system. He indicated that the District has adjusted the number of vehicles down because there was some double counting in the original RFP. He said that, that should reduce the cost that Avail is working on.

Mr. Schulman indicated that he is not satisfied with the six resumes he has received for the ITS Specialist position. He is reviewing other options for provision of the needed services.

Mr. Schulman said that all 10 of the new body on chassis vehicles are now in services.

Mr. Schulman gave on update on the two outstanding lawsuits.

Mr. Schulman reviewed the last few snow storms with the Commissioners. He said that the staff performed very well during the storms.

Mr. Schulman reported that the arbitration on unionized employee wages was rescheduled for March 13 at the District’s office.

Mr. Schulman discussed, with the Commissioners, several personnel issues that are ongoing.

Mr. Schulman reported that the District has switched back to number 1 diesel as a result of engine and exhaust system problems that were being caused by the use of number 2 diesel. The additional cost for this fiscal year is expected to be about $60,000. Mr. Schulman outlined how the District expected to make up for the added cost.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the GPS/AVL system. He expects to sign the contract with Avail in the next week or so.

The Commissioners reviewed the financial report, actuals plus estimates through the end of the fiscal year. The report shows a very small deficit of less than $10,000. Mr. Schulman said that he believed that at the end of the year the District could have a balanced budget.

Mr. Schulman reported the Police Department decided not to take the remaining body-on-chassis vehicle. Therefore, it will be sold for scrap.

Mr. Schulman siad that the District has come to a tentative settlement with Waters for $88,000. The Commissioners approved the settlement. The remaining lawsuit is ongoing with depositions scheduled for April.

Mr. Schulman indicated that the District has a binding arbitration case on union wages scheduled for tomorrow at the District's office.

Mr. Schulman reported that two trainees were let go because they could not work the hours the District needs covered. Three trainees remain.

The Commissioners approved raises for all non-unionized personnel of up to 2% for the current fiscal year. The Commissioners approved Mr. Schulman's salary and benefits package.

Mr. Schulman said that as of now the District is scheduled to receive a 2% increase in funding from the City of Norwalk for the year beginning July 1, 2014.

The Commssioners approoved a $50 an hour increase for legal services from $200 to $250 for Attorney Sumberg. This is the first change since 1999 when the District first engaged Attorney Sumberg. Mr. Sumberg's usual rate is $350 an hour.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the GPS/AVL system. He said that he signed the contract with Avail Technologies, Inc. yesterday.

Mr. Schulman reported that the District has billed, against it capital grants, about $36,000 for staff time attributable to the Pulse Point and ITS grants. These funds will go back into the District’s operating account.

Mr. Schulman indicated that he met, earlier in the week, with a representative of the company that now owns the 95/7 property. They discussed the provision of shuttle services.

Mr. Schulman said that all non-union staff reviews will be completed before the end of the week. The reviews will be the basis for determining salary increases retroactive to July 1, 2013.

Mr. Schulman reviewed the findings presented at a recent meeting in Westport of the Westport service review being conducted under the auspices of SWRPA.

Mr. Schulman attended the Norwalk budget hearing last week. As of now the District’s increase from the City stands at 2%.

Mr. Schulman said that the District is purchasing two 40 foot buses off the State contract to replace two vehicles used for Coastal Link service that are reaching the end of their useful lives. The vehicles should arrive within the next twelve months.

Mr. Schulman reported that Avail Technologies has met all of the District’s requirements and the District has signed a contract with them. The firm will conduct its “discovery” interviews during the second week in May.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the one outstanding law suit.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the Westport service study being conducted under the auspices of SWRPA.

Mr. Schulman said that the Union staff representative, Donna Johnson, was retiring. It may be some time until a regular replacement is assigned.

Mr. Schulman indicated that two of the three driver trainees have been hired and placed on the road. The third trainee is expected to be hired next week.

Mr. Schulman showed the Commissioners the flashlights that will be used as give aways at public events.

Mr. Schulman reported that the District current diesel fuel contract expires at the end of the month. Next Wednesday Rick Bangs will be in Hartford for a new fuel bid opening.

Mr. Schulman said that he expects the final pricing on the two forty foot New Flyers the District is ordering, by the end of the week. Shortly after that, the District will sign an order for the buses.

Mr. Schulman gave an update on the GPS/AVL system. Avail is spending next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the District conducting their “Discovery” phase of the project.

Mr. Schulman provided an update regarding the outstanding lawsuit.

The Commissioners reviewed the financials, actual plus estimates through the end of the fiscal year. The numbers suggest the District should end the year positively.

Mr. Schulman said that the District will begin another driver training class. The District has advertised for drivers and the applicants appear to be generally strong and well qualified.

Mr. Schulman reviewed several recent disciplinary actions, including a termination.

Mr. Schulman reported that Patrick Cooney will be attending an emergency training program at Texas A and M University. It is a week long program and all expenses are covered. It is part of a MetroNorth disaster training drill. Thirty others are attending from Norwalk including police, fire, public works and other emergency operations participants.

The Commissioners approved the purchase of two, forty foot buses from New Flyer Industries. The District is purchasing the vehicles off the State of Connecticut’s contract. The vehicles will cost $425,568.36 each and should be delivered by the end of 2014.

The Commissioners approved the purchase of a diesel fuel contract with East River Energy for the period April 2014 through April 2015. The cost of the fuel will be $3.44 a gallon, several cents above what we are paying for the current fuel contract, which is expiring.

The Commissioners approved the renewal of the $3,300,000 line of credit with the Norwalk Bank.

Mr. Schulman said that Avail Technologies has completed its “Discovery” process. Two Avail staff members have spent almost two weeks inspecting all of the rolling stock to determine how equipment will be installed in each vehicle. There will be a three day meeting the first week in June, with Avail, us, and TranSystems to go over the 1,100 requirements contained in the contract.

Mr. Schulman gave a progress report on the outstanding lawsuit.

The Commissioners approved a State budget request of approximately $11,026,000.

Mr. Schulman reported that a new class of trainees will be starting the first week in June.

Mr. Schulman indicated that Jim Pezzullo is retiring effective the end of next week after over 19 years in the finance department. In addition, Mr. Schulman said that a long term employee's FMLA leave has expired. Mr. Schulman is keeping the employee on until such time as more information regarding the employee's helath is available.

Mr. Schulman indicated that Mr. Cooney is at Texas A & M University, with a large group of Norwalk Emergency personnel learning about emergency procedures.

Mr. Schulman said that the District has received permission and funding to replace 12, 30' shuttle vehicles. The District will purchase off the State’s contract with Gillig. The Commissioners approved the purchase.

Mr. Schulman said that he and Ms. Carroll are going to Cambridge next week to meet with FTA officials to discuss the Westport after School shuttles.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the GPS/AVL system. Last week he and Ms. Carroll met with Avail staff and TranSystems staff for two and a half days, to go over the “systems requirements” for the project. There will now be teleconference every two weeks to discuss the progress of the project. Next week operations staff will receive training in geocoding the entire system of fixed routes operated by the Transit District.

Mr. Schulman gave an update on the outstanding lawsuit.

Mr. Schulman said that the District currently has seven driver trainees

Mr. Schulman reported that the District has hired a replacement for Jim Pezzullo who retired two weeks ago.

Mr. Schulman indicated that Gjon Sulaj and Tony Merturi will be going to Winnipeg for a two day pre-production meeting for the New Flyer buses.

Mr. Schulman said that the twelve 30’ buses have been ordered and should be on the property in eighteen months or less.

Mr. Schulman reported that the District has prevailed in the arbitration regarding the third year wage increase for unionized employees.

The Commissioners approved annual increases of up to 2%, effective July 1, 2014, for all non-unionized employees.

The Commissioners reviewed financials plus estimates through the end of the fiscal year. As of now, the District expects to complete the year positively.

Mr. Schulman provided an update regarding the GPS/AVL system. He also reported that the District has received no responses to its latest ad for an IT professional.

Mr. Schulman indicated that driver training is continuing.

Mr. Schulman said that by the District’s next meeting he expected to have a recommendation for which firm will conduct the District’s annual audit.

Mr. Schulman reported that Gjon and Tony are attending a pre-production meeting for the New Flyer buses in Winnipeg.

Mr. Schulman discussed personnel matters with the Commissioners.

Mr. Schulman discussed with the Commissioners a new law that appears to require that Transit District’s accept any and all political advertising.

Mr. Schulman related problems with the Dispatch operation. We currently have two dispatchers who, due to illness, are not available to work. The District is exploring how best to supplement the current work force to minimize the problems this causes with passengers waiting on the phone to make reservation for our door-to-door services.

Mr. Schulman provided an update regarding the GPS/AVL system. He indicated that the District will be interviewing one or possibly two candidates for the ITS position next week. He also said that Patrick Cooney is in training again for design and use of the scheduling software.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the outstanding law suit.

Mr. Schulman reported that several of the driver trainees were expected to complete training within the next week.

The Commissioners approved the hiring of Levitsky and Berney as auditors for the year endedJune 30, 2014.

The Commissioners discussed several personnel matters including the resignation of the Director of Special Services effective in about a month. After discussion, the Commissioners approved a $2,000 bonus for Patrick Cooney who has been doing Erasmo Lombardi’s work, in his absence, during the past six months.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the AVL/GPS system. He reported that the District has just completed two days of meetings with Avail and TranSystems. He also said that the District is in the process of interviewing two candidates for the position of IT Director.

Mr. Schulman said there is nothing new to report regarding the outstanding law suit.

Mr. Schulman said that all six driver trainees, two for Wheels and four for ADA/Shuttle, have been hired as drivers.

Mr. Schulman indicated that the Redevelopment Agency is asking for the District’s assistance in submitting a “Ladder of Opportunity” grant request to the FTA. The Commissioners agreed that the District would submit the application, but only if the grant will cover the cost of administering it.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the District’s need to discontinue the operation of the Westport after school shuttle.

The Commissioners reviewed projected year end finances which showed a balanced budget for the year ended June 30, 2014.

The Commissioners approved contractor rates for the year that began, July 1, 2014. The rates are attached to the minutes.

Mr. Schulman said that he has hired a Director of IT and that he will be offering the position of Director of Special Services to the preferred candidate later today.

Mr. Schulman reviewed the submission of a grant request to the FTA on behalf of the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency.

Mr. Schulman reported that the HART system in Danbury is willing to conduct, with its own funding, a study of the 7 Link service.

The Commissioners approved a switch in health care providers from Cigna to ConnectiCare. The switch, provides identical coverage to the current coverage, should save the District approximately $80,000 a year over the projected cost for continuing with Cigna.

Mr. Schulman outlined an issue in Westport which he is working to resolve; the loss of federal support for the operation of the after school shuttles.

Mr. Schulman provided an update on the progress of the GPS/AVL system.

Mr. Schulman also provided an update on the outstanding lawsuit.

Mr. Schulman announced the hiring of Volod Zhary as Director of IT, and Linda DeLallo as Director of Special Services. Mr. Schulman also provided additional details regarding recent disciplinary action.

Mr. Schulman said that the District has received an “exemption” from the FTA to continue after school shuttle services in Westport through the end of the year.

The Commissioners reviewed all of the resumes that came in for the CEO position. They agreed with Mr. Schulman and Ms. Carroll that none were worth sending out to the group that we have asked to evaluate resumes. If no qualified applicants submit resumes for the job the Commissioners agreed to discuss other options.

Mr. Schulman Provided an update regarding the GPS/AVL system. Six staff members are attending the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) in State College running from Tuesday through Thursday of next week.

Mr. Schulman gave an update about the outstanding lawsuit.

The Commissioners asked Mr. Schulman to set up a meeting with the selected candidate to offer the position of CEO and to review the benefits and salary being offered.

Considering added responsibilities, the Commissioners, on Mr. Schulman’s recommendation, agreed to increase Ms. Carroll’s wages by $5,200 a year at either Mr. Schulman’s exit from his position or the start of work of the new CEO, whichever occurs first.

Mr. Schulman and Ms. Carroll provided an update on the GPS/AVL system. The system is supposed to go to Pilot in the next month. However it may be delayed, at the Transit District’s request, while Avail works out several problems with the equipment.

Mr. Schulman provided an update regarding the outstanding lawsuit. Both he and Ms. Carroll have been dropped from the suit.

The Commissioners discussed the hiring of a new CEO and developed a final offer that Mr. Schulman will forward to the selected candidate later today.

The Commissioner approved the labor agreement imposed by arbitrators. The contract reflects the District’s last, best offer.

Mr. Schulman indicated that there was no activity regarding outstanding law suit.

Mr. Schulman reported that Kim Morton will begin work on January 5, 2015.

Mr. Schulman reminded the Commissioners of three upcoming events; his retirement event on November 19th, cake handout for the District’s 36th anniversary on Thursday, November 20th, and the annual awards open house on December 10th.

Rick Bangs said that the auditors had not gotten back to him to confirm their attendance at the meeting. Mr. Schulman said that since the audit is due to the State and Feds before the end of the month the auditors must attend the next meeting.

Ms. Carroll outlined, for the Commissioners, the progress on the GPS/AVL system. Pilot installations are complete and there is TMS scheduling training taking place for the next three days. The actual Pilot will probably be delayed until January.

Mr. Schulman gave an update on the lawsuit. January 22nd is scheduled for jury selection.

The Commissioners reviewed the year to date expense and revenue report. Mr. Schulman stressed that although the numbers are positive, if the State retroactively takes back money, the figures could easily change.

The Commissioners approved the City budget that is being submitted later today. It calls for a 3% increase in local funding.

The Commissioners authorized the staff to continue to explore the possible rental of space for a drivers’ room.